Click here to download the application form.
Scholarships to study in the Netherlands
The foundation Study Fund for South African Students (SSF) was founded in 1885, and is rooted in the historical ties between the Netherlands and South-Africa. Today SSF wants to contribute to the new, democratic South-Africa by giving young, bright South-African students the opportunity to gain access to high-quality education and research in the Netherlands.
Our focus is on providing financial support to PhD or Master’s students, currently studying in South Africa, who want to spend part of their studies in the Netherlands. Traditionally, scholarships were mostly granted in the realm of the humanities. Nowadays the SSF has broadened its scope, and students from all disciplines are invited to apply.
Scholarship modalities
The SSF grants two types of scholarships:
- Scholarships for students who wish to do part of their studies (up to six months) at a Dutch university, with the goal of obtaining a Master’s or PhD degree in South Africa.
- Travel allowances for short visits to the Netherlands to do research, attend academic courses (including summer schools), conferences and Master classes.
Eligible applicants
Applicants are:
- South African nationals
- Registered as a student at a South African university;
- Accepted at a Dutch university
Academic activities supported
- Study activities that are part of, or contribute to, the completion of a Master or PhD studies/research at a university in South Africa;
- Study visits that contribute towards the completion of collaborative research projects involving Dutch and South African academics;
- Courses or other study activities the credits of which are accepted for the completion of a South African post-graduate degree course;
- Research activities that can be completed within three to six months and that contribute towards the completion of a South African post-graduate degree course;
- Travel allowances to the Netherlands to do research (also for non-degree purposes), attend academic courses, conferences and Master classes.
Financial coverage
- For a Master student € 1200 monthly. This amount is meant to cover all monthly expenses (including medical insurance, rent, and the costs of visa).
- For a PhD student € 1300 monthly. This amount is also meant to cover all monthly expenses (including medical insurance, rent, and the costs of visa).
- Additionally a ‘one time amount’ of € 1000 can be granted to cover travel costs.
- A one-time travel allowance for short visits amounts of € 1300
Application process
Step 1. Admission to a (Dutch) university or study programme
Before you can apply for a scholarship, you first need to apply for admission to a study programme in the Netherlands. Your international office can assist or otherwise information can be found at www.studyinholland.nl. A letter of acceptance is one of the essential documents in the application for a scholarship.
If an admission to a Dutch university is expected within a few weeks, while in the meantime the deadline to apply for a scholarship is closed, a conditional scholarship can be granted.
Step 2. Application for the scholarship form and necessary documents
Complete the application form and attach the following documents:
- Letter of acceptance of the Dutch university from the study programme of your choice
- Copy of passport
- Copies of (academic) certificates and academic records; Study plan: a short description (max. 800 words) of the planned study in the Netherlands, including a motivation, a timetable, a subject overview, and the details of your supervisor/mentor (if known)
- Ask your South African study coordinator/professor/supervisor to send us (directly and confidentially) a reference letter to support your request for financial support
Deadlines
March 31st (for studies beginning in or after august/September)
September 30 (for studies in or after after January)
Where to apply:
Send your application form and attachments in one e-mail to studiefonds@zuidafrikahuis.nl.
Visa
Make sure that you start well in advance applying for a study visa at the Dutch Embassy in Pretoria or the Dutch Consulate in Cape Town. More information on the visa process can be found here.
Addresses:
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Pretoria
210 Florence Ribeiro /Queen Wilhelmina Avenue
Cnr Muckleneuk Street
0181 New Muckleneuk
Pretoria
pre@minbuza.nl
Telephone: +(27) (12) 425 4500
Opening hours:
Monday – Thursday: 08.00 – 17.00 hrs
Friday: 08.00 – 13.00 hrs.
Dutch Consulate General Cape Town
Strandstraat 100
Kaapstad 8001
kaa@minbuza.nl
Telephone: (27) (21) 421 5660
Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 08.00 – 17.00 hrs
Friday: 08.00 – 13.00 hrs
RULES AND REGULATIONS
A grant of a scholarship is subject to the following rules and regulations.
As soon as you have been arrived in the Netherlands, you are kindly asked to make an appointment with the secretary to present yourself in person and identify yourself. Once your scholarship term is over, it cannot be renewed.
Scholarships are awarded for a maximum period of six months.
Half way through your studies, the SSF can ask either your Dutch or South African tutor whether they are satisfied with your work. The SSF reserves the right to end the scholarship.
If you decide to amend your study plan, you need to notify the SSF by email
If it becomes known that you use your scholarship for any other purpose than mentioned above, the foundation reserves the right to end the scholarship immediately.
You have to inform the foundation of any scholarships you have applied for – before or after applying for this one. If you receive any other scholarship in either South Africa or the Netherlands without notifying the SSF, you may lose your SSF scholarship.
For the scholarship to be acknowledged, the Foundation requires:
- A report of your activities (both academic and social) must be sent to the Foundation no later than two months after your scholarship has ended. This small report should not be longer than 500 words.
- A copy of your publications, or theses produced as a result of your specific research or study in the Netherlands should be sent to the secretary (digitally and/or in hard copy).
- It is highly appreciated when you give any acknowledgement to the Foundation Study Fund for South African Students in your publications.
The scholarship will be terminated immediately and any payments that were received will have to be paid back:
- In case any of the information supplied on the application form is found to be untrue.
- In case the scholarship holder withdraws from the activity the scholarship was granted for.
Important notice Covid 19
The student, while applying, confirms that he/she will abide strictly to all rules Covid 19 related imposed by the Dutch government. The SSF is not responsible whatsoever for any inconveniences originating from Covid 19 measures.
Important notice delay
If the scholarship has not been used for whatever reasons, it loses its validity after one year automatically. The visit can be delayed (e.g. due to illness, or other travel restrictions) to a maximum of one year; any delays must be communicated to the secretary immediately.
The Board’s decisions are final. No correspondence relating to these decisions will be entered into.
Disclaimer
No rights can be derived from the texts on this website.
The Foundation Study Fund for South African Students accepts no legal liability for incorrect information provided by other websites.
Click here to download the application form.
For more information sent an e-mail to: studiefonds@zuidafrikahuis.nl
